No School First Week of January

[staciperkins]

My family is going to Disneyland Jan 3-6. I looked on Touring Plans where it said it should be a low crowd. However, when I made my dining reservations the women on the phone explained some schools are still out that week for Christmas break. Anyone know if that is true?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

It is true that many schools will still be out. With the way Christmas and New Year's fall this year, some schools opted for later break. Ours did not. I know my nieces and nephew go to a Sacramento area school, and their district opted for the later break though, so they are off that first week of January. From what I've heard, it's a mix everywhere, so some southern California schools will still be off and others will be back in session. I expect school schedules and New Year's Day falling on a Sunday are the reasons Disney is still offering holiday time at the parks that week.

 

[mamaofthree]

Yes, many schools are off. Our district is always off that first week- this year we are off until Jan 17th! We went the first week of Jan in 2010 and it was quite crowded, and understaffed. This year the holiday season is extended until Jan 8th, so I imagine DLR is prepared for higher crowds. We will be there the 8th thru 12th.

 

[fidoprincess]

We are going that week too. It's the first time DL has extended the holidays so long. Usually by the 2nd and 3rd, they are already taking things down. The extension is just what made me book thinking we'd get the best of both worlds, the holidays and lighter crowds.

However, the more I read, the more I see to expect massive crowds just like Christmas time. Orange Co public schools have off that week and so do my kids in Northern California. When looking for rooms, some hotels like BWPPI are fully booked and it looks like PP only has view rooms left so that leads me to believe it will indeed be packed. Also the calendar shows DL open until midnight so that is a key indicator that it will be packed!

Don't worry though, you can still have a great time. Just be sure to read up on fastpass and make some dining reservations. Have fun!

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[chttyangel]

We are in the Sacramento area too and are kids are in school. My sister is 20 miles from me and her kids are out. So I think it is a mix for sure.

 

[Nonsuch]

We are going that week too. It's the first time DL has extended the holidays so long. Usually by the 2nd and 3rd, they are already taking things down. The extension is just what made me book thinking we'd get the best of both worlds, the holidays and lighter crowds.

I'm also going for a few days that week, to celebrate my birthday
The crowds will be larger, but on the bright side the parks are open late with evening shows every night

 

[disneymom23]

We live in the Bay Area and we don't go back until Jan. 9. I think the first week in Jan. may be busier than in previous years but not super busy like Christmas week. (which is when we'll be there).

 

[Eeee-va]

I don't know if they're getting better or not, but Touring Plans has made some pretty bad calls earlier this year (predicting low crowds when the crowds were actually high). I don't particularly trust their numbers; in my experience the folks here have better predictions...

I would plan for crowds and then if they don't materialize, you'll be pleasantly surprised! Dining reservations are a great idea, because the restaurants will be about as crowded no matter how busy the park is.

 

[cloudconnected1039]

I'm in university, and I'm on break until the 9th of January also. My thoughts are that because of what happened last year (MAJOR traffic and road closures leading to students not being able to come back to school), they've rethought when we start our quarter back up again. We usually get 2 1/2 or 3 weeks, but now we're getting a month

 

[EvilQueen33]

My kids in high school and middle school go back on January 3rd...that is in San Diego.

 

[ricko19]

My kids in San Marcos (North San Diego County) go back Jan 9th as well.

 

[Jaymcee]

Do touring plans update their crowd predictions? We do are going between the 4th and 8th and figured because DL is open late and the holiday decorations are up they are figuring it will be busy but wondered if touringplans will alter their crowd levels?
Maybe I will use ridemax for my planning but waiting for the Janaury dates to show.

 

[jetskigrl]

My kids (LA county but not part of LA unified) go back on January 3rd.

 

[Jaymcee]

Touring plans have just updated their crowd predictions for the dates we there 4th to the 8th Jan!! Big crowds expected now.

 

[Porturican]

Northern california here (SF Bay Area) and my kids (high school) go back Jan 10th.
We are going to Disneyland from the 5th-8th. I expected big crowds from the beginning as it is the last days of xmas. I just want to expierence the "holidays" at Disneyland since I cant go in Dec.

 

[Eeee-va]

Touring plans have just updated their crowd predictions for the dates we there 4th to the 8th Jan!! Big crowds expected now.

They must have been reading the DISboards.

 

[Ariel224]

My kids go back on Jan 9th as well.

 

[Malcon10t]

We are out the 22-Jan 10. We will be there the 23 to the 4th.

 

[canadadisney]

Touring plans have just updated their crowd predictions for the dates we there 4th to the 8th Jan!! Big crowds expected now.

What are they predicting now? When I looked last Jan 3 was a 2.

 

[Cinerbelle]

My kids are out through Jan. 10th. We are a little over a hour away from DL.